How to Play Game: Dominating Racing Games Like Forza Horizon 5 with Precision and Speed

Okay, let’s talk racing. Not just any racing, but the type that gets your heart pounding, your fingers twitching, and your mind laser-focused. I’m talking about games like Forza Horizon 5 where every second counts, every turn is make-or-break, and every race is a chance to prove you’ve got the skills to dominate the tracks.

Now, if you're a complete newbie to the racing genre or just starting with Forza Horizon 5, don’t stress. It might seem overwhelming at first – all the cars, the tracks, the customization – but honestly, with a little practice and the right mindset, you'll be burning rubber in no time. And hey, if I can do it, so can you! Let’s jump into it together.

1. Getting the Basics Down: Know Your Controls

Okay, first thing’s first: learn the controls. Sounds basic, right? But believe me, if you don’t have the controls down, you’re going to struggle. Forza Horizon 5 can feel a little tricky at first, especially if you're used to other racing games, but once you get familiar with the basic functions, you’re golden.

I remember my first time playing Forza Horizon 5, I was struggling to figure out which buttons did what. I kept missing turns, hitting guardrails, and crashing into trees. It was a disaster! But after spending a bit of time in the game's tutorial, I started getting the hang of the essential controls like accelerating, braking, and, of course, steering. Simple stuff, but crucial to success. Here’s a quick breakdown of the

basics:

• Accelerate: Right trigger (RT)
• Brake/Reverse: Left trigger (LT)
• Steering: Left stick (duh, right?)
• Handbrake: Right bumper (RB) – super useful for tight turns!

Once you feel comfy with the controls, you can focus more on the fun part – racing!

2. Picking Your Ride: Know Your Car

Alright, now the fun part: choosing your car. Forza Horizon 5 has a ridiculous selection of cars, and honestly, it’s easy to get lost in the options. But here’s the deal: your car choice matters more than you think. Different cars handle differently based on the terrain, track type, and even your driving style.

When I first started, I picked a car based on how cool it looked (hello, flashy sports cars!) but soon realized that some cars are a nightmare on certain tracks. For example, a super-fast car with low traction might be great for straight roads, but horrible on tight corners. You want to make sure you pick a car that suits the race you’re about to tackle.

Pro Tip: If you’re new, start with an all-arounder like the Ford Mustang GT or the Chevrolet Corvette. These cars are pretty forgiving and will let you focus on your driving without throwing you off too much.

Also, don’t forget to upgrade your car. Spend some time in the garage tweaking your car’s performance whether it’s boosting your engine, improving handling, or adding better tires. Trust me, it makes a huge difference. That “OMG I just beat a race by a second!” feeling is real, and it comes from your car being perfectly tuned.

3. Mastering the Art of Cornering

One thing that trips up a lot of new players is cornering. You can have the fastest car, but if you don’t know how to take those sharp turns, you’re going to eat the wall every time. When I was starting out, I’d hit the brakes too hard or too late, or just let my car slide out of control. It was frustrating, to say the least.

Here’s the key: brake before the corner, not during it. When you’re coming up to a sharp turn, you want to ease off the accelerator, tap the brakes, and then let your car coast through the turn. Don’t slam the brakes, because that’ll make your car lose traction and cause you to spin out.

Pro Tip: If you’re on a tight corner, use the handbrake to help your car slide around the corner without losing too much speed. It might feel weird at first, but once you get the timing down, it’s like a secret weapon.

4. Race Strategy: Knowing When to Push and When to Hold Back

If there’s one thing I learned in Forza Horizon 5, it’s that race strategy is everything. A lot of new players think racing is just about going fast all the time, but that’s a surefire way to crash and burn. You need to know when to hold back, when to push the gas pedal to the floor, and when to make a move.

When you’re ahead, don’t just race like a maniac trying to increase your lead. Focus on consistency. Thismeans hitting your corners just right, managing your speed, and avoiding unnecessary risks. If you’re in second place and about to take first, don’t go crazy by cutting across the track; wait for your opportunity. Patience is key.

Also, try to learn the track. It sounds boring, but once you’ve raced the same track a couple of times, you’ll start to notice the sections where you can push your car harder and the parts where you need to slow down. The more you race, the more you’ll internalize those turns, jumps, and straights, and that’s when you’ll really start to shave seconds off your time.

5. Use Drifting to Your Advantage

Drifting is a big deal in Forza Horizon 5, and once you get the hang of it, it’s a game-changer. Drifting helps you take corners faster without losing too much control, and it can even help you get through tight spots when you're about to lose speed.

At first, I thought drifting was just for show, but once I started doing it in the right situations, I was shaving so much time off my lap times. The trick is to start your drift early, control the angle, and then smoothly power out of it. It’s all about feeling the car and not oversteering. It might take a bit to get the hang of it, but trust me, once it clicks, it’ll feel like second nature.

6. Get Comfortable with the Open World

Now, Forza Horizon 5 isn’t just about racing on tracks. It’s also about the open-world experience. You can explore Mexico, collect cars, race in different events, and just enjoy the scenery. This is where the game really shines, and where a lot of fun side activities come into play.

When I started, I was so focused on the races that I missed out on all the fun in between. The beauty of Forza Horizon 5 is that you don’t have to stick to races only – you can take a break, drive through the gorgeous landscape, and discover hidden collectibles or challenges. Plus, there are these awesome speed zones and drift zones that you can conquer to level up your skills.

7. Take It Easy and Have Fun

Here’s the most important tip of all: don’t stress about being perfect. Forza Horizon 5 is all about fun. Sure, you want to win, but the real joy comes from getting better over time, feeling that rush when you master a tricky turn, and the satisfaction of crossing the finish line after an epic race. 

My biggest takeaway from all my hours of playing is that racing games are about practice. The more you play, the better you get. And when you finally get that perfect lap, or beat a race by a tiny fraction of a second, it’s all worth it.

Wrapping It Up

So, there you go! Dominating racing games like Forza Horizon 5 isn’t about slamming your way through the tracks or using cheat codes. It’s all about precision, strategy, and mastering your car. But most

importantly, it’s about having fun. So grab your wheel (or controller) and hit the road.